The Cosman Connection |

Version 9 - view current page



The Cosman Family came from Germany, to Orange Co., New York, in America then to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada , where they immigrated with the Loyalists in 1783. Edward Lawton-(Cosman) is the son of Christopher Wager Cosman who was born of Loyalist stock in Kingston, NB.

These graves are in the Kingston Baptist Cemetery in Kingston. Betsy Ann Cosman was Elizabeth Ann Golding, wife of James Cosman, Loyalist, whose father James came up from Orange Co. New York to Digby, Nova Scotia. James Jr. came over and settled in Kingston. Betsy and James are my great-great-grand-parents, although I knew nothing of them when growing up. Their son, John Nelson Cosman married Lydia Ann Sheck. Their son, Christopher Wager Cosman was my grand-father, as his son, Edward Christopher, was my father. Christopher was born in Kingston, then the family moved to Lower Millstream.



Scan10097.jpg Chris Cosman Old Black River Rd. image by geraldean_2008100_78952.jpg Eddie lawton, Chris Cosman's son image by geraldean_2008Scan10377.jpg Chris and Eddie- Lawton farm image by geraldean_2008Scan111962.jpg Lawton Farm image by geraldean_2008ChrisCosmanshorse.jpg Chris cosman's horse image by geraldean_2008

ducksonlawtonfarm.jpg ducks, lawton farm image by geraldean_2008gramasgoose.jpg Lawton farm image by geraldean_2008backfield.jpg donnie, lawton farm image by geraldean_2008Love0001.jpg image by geraldean_2008grama723.jpg Phoebe Wood Lawton Cosman image by geraldean_2008

These pictures are of the Lawton farm as run by Christopher Cosman and his common-law wife, Phoebe. There is Chris with his horse, as he was a horse trainer, Eddie at age 16, at the barn with barefoot Eddie, the Lawton house, ducks and geese, Donnie the dog in the backfield, Eddie in his own house, and Grama Phoebe.


The Eddie Lawton-Cosman Story


Eddie grew up as Eddie Cosman and faced a life of poverty and hard work from an early age. As I mentioned, he never attended school long enough to learn to read or write, and suffered both hunger and cold on the old farm. The farm house was colder upstairs in winter than it was outdoors, the only heat, a kitchen wood stove. The Old Black River Road was isolated by bad roads, impassable muddy tracks in spring, and there was no electricity, indoor plumbing, store bought food or the like. water, cutting wood, haying and barn work as well as weeding and planting were the order of the day. Toothaches had to be suffered and broken bones had to knit themselves together.

Eddie must have made some trips to town to visit his grandfather Jacob Wood who had a large house and barn on Rothesay Ave., where he met Muriel, his teenaged bride. Muriel's father worked at McAvity's Foundry which was right next door to Jacob Wood's house.

A Young and handsome EddieEddie and his dog, Donnie
Eddie was a quiet and gentle person, very sensitive and tender, and loved kids and animals.
Eddie and Muriel met and were married at 15, Eddie one month short of his 16th birthday.

Edward Christopher ( Cosman) Lawton

100_6199.jpg Loves visit Cosman house picture by geraldean_2008

A visit to Cosman Homestead in Millstrean, NB.


100_9374.jpg Chris Cosman and horse picture by geraldean_2008

Ghostly picture of Chris Cosman and horse made from a metal newspaper plate, very worn.

100_9362.jpg Eddie Cosman Lawton picture by geraldean_2008100_9369.jpg eddie picture by geraldean_2008

Eddie as boy on farm, about 16, and in the army, about 22.


100_93662.jpg darlene picture by geraldean_2008100_9366.jpg darlene, dad, baby picture by geraldean_2008

Eddie on step with Darlene and baby Fred. Closeup of Darlene.